More specifically, diplomats from Germany, France, and Britain warned that the US tactics are “completely unacceptable,” and that their bullying tactics would not help them marshal support against Iran.

The State Department was surprised by the firmness of the language, and passed it on to the White House. It was noted that the US dialed back pressure on the EU in the days that followed.

President Trump clearly wasn’t happy with not getting his way, and was reported complaining about the Europeans at the Davos economic forum, saying they are worse to do business with than the Chinese.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also complained about the EU nations not being more loudly in favor of the US assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. European officials, however, believed it was an “aimlessly aggressive” move by Trump, and lacked any concrete objective.

"It's barbarism. I see it coming masqueraded under lawless alliances and predetermined enslavements. It may not be about Hitler's furnaces, but about the methodical and quasi-scientific subjugation of Man. His absolute humiliation. His disgrace"

Odysseas Elytis, Greek poet, in a press conference on the occasion of receiving the Nobel Prize (1979)